In France, associated communes (, ) were created by the Commune Merger Act of 16 July 1971 (also called the Marcellin Act). It permits the formerly independent communes to maintain certain institutions, such as a delegate mayor, a registrar, a criminal investigation officer a mayor's office a community center
On 1 January 2006 there were 730 communes associées in France. Most of those were created within four years after the Marcellin Act was passed.
External links Code officiel géographique 2006